Caregivers and parents know that seperation anxiety can be stressful for all involved especially the child.
Alex Barzvi, Ph.D.,Clinical director of the New York University Child Study Center’s Institute for Anxiety and Mood Disorders says, by 6 months,introduce your baby to other regular caregivers,such as relatives or a babysitter.”your child needs practice being away from you,hopefully well before preschool.
Here are some great suggestions from Barzvi.
1. Keep the goodbye short. “prolonging the departure gives your child the idea that there’s something to be afraid of”.
2. Avoid Sneaking off. Barzvi says”by sneaking out the door this is tricking the child and it can break your child’s trust in you”.
3. Develop a goodbye ritual.
4. Provide your child with an ETA , such as, I will pick you up after snack time.
5. Remind your child that you will always return.
Hopefully by using Dr. Barzvi suggestions, seperation anxiety can be less stressful for all involved.
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Odie Chavez
Chicago Child Care Examiner